Dawn

Dawn

Monday, December 10, 2012


Up to La Coruña today - to hear an interesting talk on the travels around Galicia of George Borrow, author of The Bible in Spain. Well, I say it was interesting but, as it was all in Gallego, I'm relying on my galegofalante Dutch friend, Peter, for this assessment. 

Driving there and back, I was able to discuss with Peter the quaint Dutch character of Black Pete – something which was roundly condemned in a recent Guardian article. As a natural Devil's Advocate, Peter argued, convincingly, the case in favour or retaining the figure in Dutch life. One interesting aspect of the St Nicolas-Black Pete institution is that St Nick, at least, is believed to have come from Madrid by boat. Quite a feat.

So Little Lionel Messi has broken the record for the number of goals scored in a calendar year. Astonishing. And still 3 weeks to go. Shame he was born in Argentina. Though, sadly, not in Las Malvinas.

Finally . . . I heard today that Andy Warhol's definition of modern art was Anything you can get away with. Which has both the smell of perspicacity and the ring of truth about it. Wish I could get away with it. Warhol's biggest disciple is, of course, Damien Hirst. Who still seems to be getting away with everything.

Which reminds me . . . Berlusconi looks set for another stretch as President of Italy. The chances of him doing a stretch elsewhere now look very slim.

I'm off now to find out what a 'fiscal cliff' is. It seems to be the phrase of the moment.

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